INTRODUCTION:
Overview and timelines
Presentation criteria
Lab report formats
Lab report scoresheets


UNIT I: SCIENTIFIC THINKING in EXPERIMENTAL SETTINGS
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Experimental design, control of variables, measurement, underlying assumptions
Data collection
Mathematical modeling (data analysis, interpreting graphs)
Evaluation of the pendulum model
Lab Report: presentation and defense of findings
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS:
Pendulum Lab, Types of Graphs Suite of Labs
STUDENT MATERIALS:
Graphical methods
Significant figures


KINEMATICS: DESCRIPTIVE PARTICLE MODELS
UNIT II: CONSTANT VELOCITY PARTICLE MODEL
Objects in Translation With Constant Velocity
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Reference system, position and trajectory
What is a particle model?
Vectorial vs scalar concepts
What is a free particle (FP)? What is its domain?
FP’s kinematical properties and law of motion
Motion map
Multiple representations (graphical, algebraic, diagrammatic)
Dimensions and units
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS : Battery-Powered Vehicle Lab
STUDENT MATERIALS - Motion Maps


UNIT III: PARTICLE UNDERGOING UNIFORM ACCELERATION
Objects in Linear Translation with Constant Acceleration
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Average vs instantaneous rate of change: the case of velocity
Acceleration vs. velocity
What is a Constant Force Particle (CFP)? What is its domain?
CFP’s kinematical properties and laws of motion
Motion map
Multiple representations (graphical, algebraic, diagrammatic)
Free fall
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS:
Inclined rail lab, Free fall with picket fence


DYNAMICS: EXPLANATORY PARTICLE MODELS
UNIT IV: FREE PARTICLE MODEL
Inertia and interactions
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Newton's 1st law (Galileo's thought experiment)
Inertial reference frames
Interaction and force
Newton's 3rd law
Superposition principle
FP’s dynamical property, force diagrams and motion maps
Statics: equilibrium of a particle
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS:
Dry ice, the normal force, weight vs mass, statics, paired forces,
STUDENT MATERIALS - Force diagrams

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Trigonometric approach to vector analysis
Spreadsheets and vector analysis



UNIT V: CONSTANT FORCE PARTICLE MODEL
Force as Cause of Acceleration in Linear Translation
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Newton's 2nd law
CFP’s dynamical properties, force diagrams and motion maps
Friction
Modeling in paradigm problems
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS:
Modified Atwood's Machine Lab, Friction Lab
STUDENT MATERIALS - Types of friction


UNIT VI: PARTICLE MODELS IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Describing and Explaining Translation in a Plane by Combining FP and One-Dimensional CFP models
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Superposition principle
FP in different inertial reference systems (FP + FP)
CFP in a non-inertial reference system (CFP + CFP)
CFP in different inertial reference systems (CFP + FP)
Application of CFP in two dimensions: the case of a projectile
Kinematical and dynamical properties, force diagrams and motion maps
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS: Behavior of a Projectile

ELECTRICITY

•Unit I - Charge Behavior and Interactions
–Charge produces and responds to an electric field
•Unit II - Electric Potential
–An electric field can store energy
•Unit III - Circuits
–The electric field can cause bulk charge flow in conducting materials

Kinematics and Dynamics Applications


UNIT VII: ENERGY
Explaining Particle Translation via Conservation of Energy
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Revisit paradigm labs- view from energy perspective
Energy Storage modes (potential, kinetic, dissipated) and representational tools
Energy Transfer mechanisms (via working heating, radiating)
Conservation of energy
Conservative vs non-conservative forces
More on mathematical modeling in paradigm problems
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS: Stretched Spring Lab




UNIT VIII: CENTRAL FORCE PARTICLE MODELS
Objects in Circular Translation
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Particle in translation with variable acceleration, centripetal and tangential components
Describing and explaining uniform circular translation: centripetal acceleration and force
Describing and explaining uniformly accelerated circular translation
Angular vs linear expressions of kinematical laws of motion
Explanatory laws compared: Newton’s laws vs conservation of energy principle
Planetary motion: Universal gravitation and Kepler’s 3rd law
Centrifugal force and acceleration: Pseudo-concepts and their risks
Fundamental particle models in Newtonian theory: An overview
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS: Circular Motion



UNIT IX: IMPULSIVE FORCE PARTICLE MODEL
Conservation of Linear Momentum
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Interaction in two-particle systems, internal forces
Linear momentum and impulse
Newton’s 1st and 2nd laws revisited
Elastic vs inelastic collisions: conservation of linear momentum vs conservation of energy
LAB NOTES & INSTRUCTIONAL COMMENTS: Momentum Lab